Paul Skenes Bests Dylan Crews in First MLB Showdown

This was a date many LSU fans had circled on their calendar since the schedule released, but nobody knew if Skenes would actually get the start. Fortunately, he did, and it was a clinic for the NL Cy Young favorite.

Skenes shredded the Nationals up, allowing just one earned run in 6.0 innings of work while striking out six batters. It was yet another great performance he gets to add to his resume, but the highlight of his night came when he got his former teammate out twice.

The first time Dylan Crews came up to the plate, it was the second inning with two outs and a runner on first. Crews watched an 83 MPH slider get called for a strike before taking one of Skenes's sweepers for a ball. In the 1-1 count, Crews fouled off a 96 MPH fast ball before making weak contact on a slider, which happened to go right to Skenes, who threw him out at first.

Crews didn't get back to the plate until the fifth inning, this time with two outs and nobody on. He looked at two straight strikes before taking three balls in a row. With a full count, Crews fouled off a 98 MPH heater before grounding out to third base on the seventh pitch of the at bat.

Unfortunately, Skenes was taken out of the game before Crews came up for his third at bat, meaning Skenes easily won the first of many MLB battles between the two former Tigers.

The Nationals and Pirates don't face off again until September when the Pirates come to D.C. for a three-game series from the 12th-14th. Until then, Skenes has bragging rights on his former teammate.